20 Hacks to Keep Your Houseplants Alive During the Winter

March 13, 2017dmurray

Not only do houseplants look nice, but they're also good for your home and you. But for some reason, a lot of us treat them poorly, especially in the winter months. It doesn't have to be that way! We've got 20 easy hacks to help keep your houseplants happy.

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20 Hacks to Keep Your Houseplants Alive During the Winter

March 13, 2017 dmurray

Not only do houseplants look nice, but they're also good for your home and you. But for some reason, a lot of us treat them poorly, especially in the winter months. It doesn't have to be that way! We've got 20 easy hacks to help keep your houseplants happy.

1. Keep Plants Away From Furnace Vents and Heaters

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1. Keep Plants Away From Furnace Vents and Heaters

Your house is already dry in the winter, and <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-help-houseplants-survive-winter-our-top-10-tips-239748" target="_blank">Apartment Therapy</a> suggests that you don't make it worse for your houseplants by placing them near furnace vents and heaters.

1. Keep Plants Away From Furnace Vents and Heaters

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Your house is already dry in the winter, and <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-help-houseplants-survive-winter-our-top-10-tips-239748" target="_blank">Apartment Therapy</a> suggests that you don't make it worse for your houseplants by placing them near furnace vents and heaters.

4. Monitor Humidity

4. Monitor Humidity

Houseplants are happiest when the humidity is between 40-50% says Apartment Therapy. However, the humidity in the average house can swing wildly depending on when the furnace is running. You can either mist your plant's leaves or install a humidifier.

4. Monitor Humidity

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Houseplants are happiest when the humidity is between 40-50% says Apartment Therapy. However, the humidity in the average house can swing wildly depending on when the furnace is running. You can either mist your plant's leaves or install a humidifier.

6. Rotate Often

Your houseplants like light all over, so don't forget to rotate them. An easy way to remember, says Apartment Therapy, is to turn pots a quarter of a turn when you water your plants.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

7. Watch the Water

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7. Watch the Water

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Be careful watering. Over-watering houseplants is quite common and can cause all kinds of problems. Cut back on the water, and if they're not getting enough, you'll be able to tell. You should water once a week.

7. Watch the Water

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Be careful watering. Over-watering houseplants is quite common and can cause all kinds of problems. Cut back on the water, and if they're not getting enough, you'll be able to tell. You should water once a week.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

8. Use Recycled Water

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8. Use Recycled Water

If you want to be a little more eco-friendly in your house, reuse water on your houseplants that you've used for cooking things like vegetables and pasta. If you use a green detergent, you can use your dishwater, too.

8. Use Recycled Water

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If you want to be a little more eco-friendly in your house, reuse water on your houseplants that you've used for cooking things like vegetables and pasta. If you use a green detergent, you can use your dishwater, too.

9. DIY Watering Globe

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9. DIY Watering Globe

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Photo Credit: Aurélien Mole/Wikimedia Commons

Watering globes will deliver moisture to your houseplants when they need it. But you don't have to buy one. According to <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/home/photo-gallery/42842471/image/42855106/Create-DIY-Watering-Globe" target="_blank">PopSugar</a>, simply take a wine bottle, fill it with water and stick it upside down in your plant's pot. The plant will draw out the water when it's thirsty. Perfect for when you're going on holiday.

9. DIY Watering Globe

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Watering globes will deliver moisture to your houseplants when they need it. But you don't have to buy one. According to <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/home/photo-gallery/42842471/image/42855106/Create-DIY-Watering-Globe" target="_blank">PopSugar</a>, simply take a wine bottle, fill it with water and stick it upside down in your plant's pot. The plant will draw out the water when it's thirsty. Perfect for when you're going on holiday.

Photo Credit: Aurélien Mole/Wikimedia Commons

10. Use a Coffee Filter

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10. Use a Coffee Filter

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Photo Credit: Evan-Amos/Wikimedia Commons

<a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/advice/g100/houseplant-tricks-and-tips/?slide=3" target="_blank">Good Housekeeping</a> suggests lining houseplant pots with a coffee filter. Water can still drain, but the soil will stay in the pot.

10. Use a Coffee Filter

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<a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/advice/g100/houseplant-tricks-and-tips/?slide=3" target="_blank">Good Housekeeping</a> suggests lining houseplant pots with a coffee filter. Water can still drain, but the soil will stay in the pot.

Photo Credit: Evan-Amos/Wikimedia Commons

11. Add Coffee

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11. Add Coffee

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Photo Credit: Estormiz/Wikimedia Commons

And if you're sticking a coffee filter in the bottom of your houseplant pots, mix coffee grinds with the soil. Good Housekeeping says the nutrients will help your plants thrive.

17. Look for Bugs

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17. Look for Bugs

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Photo Credit: Paramecium/Wikimedia Commons

Keep an eye peeled for pests. If one plant gets an infestation, all your plants become vulnerable. Spider mites (pictured) can be particularly hard on houseplants. If you notice them, treat immediately.

17. Look for Bugs

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Keep an eye peeled for pests. If one plant gets an infestation, all your plants become vulnerable. Spider mites (pictured) can be particularly hard on houseplants. If you notice them, treat immediately.

Photo Credit: Paramecium/Wikimedia Commons

18. Re-pot Your Plants

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18. Re-pot Your Plants

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Photo Credit: OJO Images/Rex Features/CP

After time the soil your houseplants are living in will become exhausted of nutrients. Every year or so, re-pot your plants and give them some fresh earth to thrive in.

18. Re-pot Your Plants

After time the soil your houseplants are living in will become exhausted of nutrients. Every year or so, re-pot your plants and give them some fresh earth to thrive in.

Photo Credit: OJO Images/Rex Features/CP

19. Keep Them in the Shade Outside

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19. Keep Them in the Shade Outside

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

When those early spring days finally arrive, you'll be tempted to put some of your plants outside for a few hours of sun. That's fine, but keep them in a shady area. Most houseplants don't do well in direct sunlight.

19. Keep Them in the Shade Outside

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When those early spring days finally arrive, you'll be tempted to put some of your plants outside for a few hours of sun. That's fine, but keep them in a shady area. Most houseplants don't do well in direct sunlight.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

20. Give Them Fresh Air

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20. Give Them Fresh Air

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

If you get a nice warm day, open up the windows. Not only will your houseplants appreciate the fresh air, so will you!